"We'll get Jaybird (equipment manager Jay Brunetti) to get them some pads, and we'll see for ourselves," Ryans said, laughing. "Whoever called us soft they can come out here and line up and see how soft we are."

But Ryans added: "I really don't care what people say about us. It really doesn't matter to me. We know what we have to do on Sunday. That's how we'll be judged."

As for the criticism leveled by the NFL Network's Michael Lombardi that the Texans suffer from a lack of live contact during practice, Ryans said: "Everybody has an opinion on how to get it done. Everyone thinks they know the right way for us to work, to practice. But (head coach Gary) Kubiak has played in this league. He knows what it takes to be ready.

"I think we hit enough. If you're at this level and you don't know how to hit, you won't make it. There's no point in trying to knock each other's heads off. If you don't know how to make a tackle, you won't be here. It's as simple as that."

Quarterback Matt Schaub, who, like all NFL quarterbacks, never gets hit in practice, also said such outside commentary is irrelevant to him.

"I don't think we can run the football the way we did and protect the way we did and be considered soft. The (critics) don't know how we play, how we work. They don't really know what they're talking about."

Daniels bit by stomach bug

Although former Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels couldn't practice Friday because of a stomach virus that's making its way around the locker room, he had gotten off to a strong start in this camp as opposed to last year's, when he was trying to recover from major knee surgery following a midseason injury in 2009.

"He's had a great first few days," quarterback Matt Schaub said. "Last year he was mainly working with the trainers, trying to come back, then during the season he was in and out of the lineup with that hamstring (pull). It was hard to get in a rhythm with him. So it's just huge to have him out here with a full offseason under his belt. Working with him on our own (during the lockout), I know he's ready to go."

Walter's 'possessiveness' a plus

Kevin Walteradmits he's getting tired of being branded a "possession receiver" because he thinks he's more multi-dimensional than that. But, when coachGary Kubiak was asked to weigh in on the topic, he said Walter should embrace the label.

"Tell him to not let it hurt his feelings because they're probably going to call him that his whole career," Kubiak said. "I bet he plays a long time, so that's a compliment in my opinion. I'm amazed at him. You watch this guy work every day, and Kevin has to work really hard to be successful. It's been that way his whole career. He's just a pro. He overcomes some shortcomings with his work habits, his study and all those things.

"He's a big cog on this football team because everybody knows he will be there every day, every play as hard as he can play, and he'll do anything you ask him to do. You can't have enough of those guys."

Walter is starting his ninth season in the league and his sixth with the Texans. Like tight end Owen Daniels, Walter spent a lot of time over the offseason playing catch with quarterback Matt Schaub.

"We've been together so long now that it's just second nature for us," Schaub said. "We've had five years of being good friends and talking through things. I understood his route-running."

Walter turned 30 Thursday, but he passed the day uneventfully — unlike last summer when Schaub came up from behind and smacked him with a shaving-cream pie while he was doing a TV interview. An encore was said to be in the works, but it never materialized.

For the fans

Today's 8 a.m. practice is open to the public, and tickets, which are required, can still be had at no charge by downloading them from the Texans' website. But it's suggested spectators arrive early because of another event taking place in Reliant Stadium, starting at 10 a.m.